      
| GOING WIRELESS?
Wireless networking is actually a pretty cool thing! It's easy and clean. No ugly net cables running through the house. For example, when we added on to our house a few years ago I decided it would be a good time to run CAT5 cable through any of the exposed walls in order to Network our house. The problem was that not ALL the walls were exposed as the addition was only in one section of the house. I was able to install Net Jacks in the new walls so that any of those rooms would have network access but the other rooms that were not affected by the remodel did not. The solution?... wireless. I installed a wireless router in conjunction with my existing hard wire router as an access point to my network. Now, if we are in any section of the house that does not have net wall jacks and need to access the network or internet, I can use the wireless capabilities of my laptop. RISKS
While wireless access is very convenient, there are even more risks than with a wired network. Because so many individuals do not understand networking concepts, the wireless manufactures make wireless access as easy as possible to setup. Because it is made so easy it is thus also extremely easy for others to access your wireless network and thus your computers. SECURITY
When setting up your wireless devices in your home or office you definitely want to use Encryption. Encryption means that you require an access code or key to be entered prior to the wireless device working on your wireless network. You typically would only have to enter this key once to access your network. An intruder would have to crack your access code/key in order to gain access. Not impossible.... but it would definitely take some work. If you run a network with only the default security, where Encryption is turned off, any of your neighbors can immediately log on to your network and use your Internet connection, not to mention gain access to your computer and files. For example, there are at least 3 other wireless networks close to my house. I can see them any time I turn on my laptop. Infact, I can also access them as they are not protected by encryption. SSID
How do I know that they are there? They are broadcasting to everyone that they have a wireless network. One of the steps to make wireless easy is to broadcast that a wireless network is in the area and available. By default all wireless routers broadcast an SSID (Service Set Identifier). The SSID is a name given to your wireless network. All wireless networks require a name. You can access the ability to turn off the SSID through the software that comes with your wireless router. Broadcasting that you have a wireless network can and should be turned OFF as one of the steps to help protect your wireless network. WEP/WPA ENCRYPTION
All wireless network devices come with the ability to add Encryption however, by default it is typically turned off in order to make it as easy a possible for the user to setup and use the device. Network hackers know this! The 2 most common types of wireless encryption are WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). However, there are others. WPA is the most current and available with the newer wireless G devices which can also use the older WEP. The older wireless B devices can only do WEP. - WEP has 3 settings, Off (no security), 64-bit (weak security, but better than nothing) and 128-bit (a bit better security). WEP is not difficult to crack but better than nothing. Using WEP reduces performance only slightly.
- WPA is a much stronger form of encryption and provides greater performance overhead than WEP. However, it is more difficult to setup.
So, in order to enjoy your wireless network and protect yourself, at a minimum you should: - Turn on the Firewall that comes with your Wireless Router
- Turn on at a minimum WEP encryption.
- Make sure your encryption code/key is not something recognizable.
- Turn off broadcasting your wireless network name (SSID).
Next TIP OF THE MONTH will deal with Spyware, Adware and Malware. Check out all the Previous Tips of the Month Serving the greater Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, Issaquah and Eastside Area for over 15 years. DeHan Computer Services, offering professional computer services to the greater Seattle, Bellevue and Eastside area for over 15 years. Computer services include: Website Design, Hardware installation, Software installation, Custom built systems, Diagnostics, Computer Repair, Upgrades, Virus removal, IT Technical Support and much much more.
wecanhelp@dehancomputerservices.com |
 |  | |  |  | GOING WIRELESS?
Wireless networking is actually a pretty cool thing! It's easy and clean. No ugly net cables running through the house...... SEE THE COMPLETE TIP |
|  |
| | We offer phone
support also!
Give us a call
425 861-1635 |
| | | | DeHan Computer Services, serving the greater Seattle and Eastside area. Website Design, Hardware installations, Software installations, Custom built systems, Diagnostics, Repairs, Upgrades, Virus removal, Technical Support and much much more. |
| |
|
We offer ....